Special to the Bulverde News :
March 27, 2013

The group will meet in April to finalize the draft before going to the board of trustees in May or June.

The four goals drafted by the team include:

• Cultivate a safe, nurturing and collaborative environment that promotes high standards, ethical behavior and mutual respect for all;

• Maximize student achievement through high standards across all disciplines, which incorporate 21st century learning, high-quality instructional strategies and innovative teaching;

• Build and strengthen an effective and efficient organization by utilizing a flexible, responsive and systemic (consistent) process; and

• Identify, grow and retain leaders to build capacity at all levels.

“A lot of what we've done so far is conceptual thinking and theorizing,” said Andrew Kim, superintendent of Comal ISD. “Now is the time to plan that road map.”

Annette Villerot, assistant superintendent for academics and student services, walked the group through some of the thinking behind each of the goals.

“In the systems and structures, what are the pieces that make it systemic? How does it become part of the language we speak and everything we do? It's not systemic until it is communicated and the more we speak the language, the more we share the language.

“And when that happens, it becomes a part of our culture, it becomes part of our teaching and learning process and it becomes part of our leadership development.”

Kim said the strategic plan is a continuous, living document that gives the school board and the Comal ISD community an understanding of what Comal ISD is about.

Parents encouraged to complete online survey

The Comal ISD customer service initiative, ComalCares, is taking another step forward with an online parent survey.

The online address to complete the survey – there is one for elementary parents, one for middle school parents and one for high school parents – was sent to parents via SchoolMessenger email.

District administration will be seeking anonymous responses to the surveys through April 12.

Parents may also gain access to the survey on the district's website at www.comalisd.org. Click on the ComalCares button and then parent survey link.

“The ComalCares campaign is a focused effort to address and meet the needs of our customers to the very best of our abilities and to recognize our employees who regularly go above and beyond,” said Kari Hutchison, deputy superintendent.

“Similarly, parent input on this survey will go a long way in helping us recognize those areas we are doing well and in helping us improve some of the weaker areas.”

Paper copies of the survey in both English and Spanish are available at the front office of each campus.

Friday is a student and staff holiday

All students and staff of Comal ISD will have a holiday Friday. All campuses and the Support Services Building will be closed.Classes will resume at the normal time on Monday.

Kindergarten registration will be April 9 and 10

Registration for incoming kindergarten students for the 2013-14 school year will be April 9 and April 10 at each elementary school. Registration takes place at each elementary campus, during the school day, with extended hours offered on April 10.

Parents should bring the student's birth certificate, updated immunization record, Social Security number and two proofs of residence. Students are not required to attend registration.

For parents who are unsure which school their child would attend, go to www.InfoFinderi.com/tfi and enter a home address.